During the first phase of the survey of beneficiaries of the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS), it was found that of the total of 26,000 beneficiaries aged 80 years and above, about 4,000 were either untraceable or were dead. But they continued to receive the DSSS dole.
The survey had grouped the beneficiaries as ‘genuine,’ ‘doubtful,’ ‘expired,’ ‘house not traceable,’ and ‘migrated.’ Thanks to the efforts of Ajit Panchwadkar, Director of the Social Welfare Department, the survey was undertaken, and the facts came to light.
This is the first phase of the survey, and in the upcoming ones, beneficiaries from 75-80, 70-75, 65-70, and 60-65 years will be surveyed. Let us hope that he is not transferred ‘in public interest’ to some other department for having unravelled the mystery of the missing beneficiaries who apparently enjoyed the DSSS funds.
